SLIP THROUGH SECURITY. WE BEGIN WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S CONTROVERSIAL EQUAL RIGHTS ORDINANCE. GOOD EVENING. I'M LAUREN FREEMAN. AND I'M BILL BALLEZA. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. THE ORDINANCE WAS JUST PASSED BY HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL. LOCAL 2'S PHILLIP MENA IS JOINING US FROM DOWNTOWN. THIS IS WAS A HEATED ISSUE FOR MANY. Reporter: IT SURE WAS. MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE GOT UP IN FRONT OF CITY COUNCIL TODAY AND EMOTIONALLY EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS BOTH FOR AND AGAINST THE ORDINANCE WHICH PASSED. THE CITY'S SECRETARY TELLS THAWS IF THIS ISSUE PROMPTED THE BIGGEST PUBLIC TURNOUT THE CITY COUNCIL THAT IS EVER SEEN. TON ORDINANCE PASSES 11 VOTES TO SIX VOTES. Reporter: AN HISTORIC DAY IN HOUSTON AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED WEDNESDAY TO PASS THE HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL EQUAL RIGHTS ORDINANCE, BANNING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST RACE, AGE, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY FOR HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT. THIS ORDINANCE COVERS ALL OF THOSE CATEGORIES. IT IS A GOOD STEP FORWARD FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON. Reporter: THE DECISION CAME AFTER TWO WEEKS OF DELAYS, PROTESTS, AND MORE THAN 10 HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENTS. FROM MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE. WHILE SOME OPPONENTS RAILED AGAINST HOMOSEXUAL, OTHERS EXPRESSED FEAR FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE USING PUBLIC RESTROOM. IT'S A THREAT TO OUR WIVES, OUR GRANDCHILDREN KNOWING THEY MIGHT BE EXPOSED TO POTENTIAL SEXUAL PREDATORS. Reporter: A COUNCILMAN WAS ONE OF SIX MEMBERS TO VOTE AGAINST THE ORDINANCE. OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF CALLS THAT I RECEIVED AND EMAILS WERE SAYING NO TO THE ORDINANCE. AND SO I VOTED NO. Reporter: COUNCILMAN RICHARD WYNN GAME EMOTIONAL WHEN EXPLAINING HIS VOTE. WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT MUCH TO GAIN. LET US CONTINUE OUR JOURNEYS WITH LOVE AND PEACE. Reporter: THIS EVENING MAYOR PARKER OFFICIALLY SIGNED THE ORDINANCE AND IT WILL GO INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. REPORTING LIVE IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON, PHILLIP MENA, KPRC LOCAL 2. THANK YOU. OPPONENT OF THE ORDINANCE HAVE

HOUSTON -

The emotional battle over the controversial Equal Rights Ordinance finally came to an end Wednesday night at Houston City Hall. City Council passed the ordinance in an 11-6 vote.

Wednesday's meeting began at 9 a.m. and continued until 8 p.m. as speakers were given a chance to add their voices to the debate before council voted.

According to the city secretary, the issue prompted 209 people to speak on the proposed ordinance -- the biggest turnout the public comments council has seen.

The ordinance bans discrimination in housing and employment, and would extend protections to Houston's gay and transgender community.

Also included among the 14 now-protected characteristics were race, ethnicity, age, religion and disability.

"This ordinance covers all of those categories," Mayor Annise Parker said moments after the vote. "It is a good step forward for the city of Houston."

While people spoke in front of city leaders, a group protested outside the building.

"I'm against it. I believe the word of God is specific about it," said William Sutherland.

Some City Council members said their offices have been bombarded with calls and emails from people who don't think the ordinance should pass.

Houston City Council Member Michael Kubosh said he doesn't like that violators would face stiff penalties.

"It's going to criminalize people that have been found in violation in the ordinance and the fine could be between $500-$5,000," said Kubosh.

Late Wednesday, Parker officially signed the ordinance, which goes into effect immediately.

Despite the ordinance passing, some are vowing to continue the fight at the ballot box.

"There are people throughout the city that will not let this stand," said Jonathon Saenz, the president of Texas Values. "There are people talking about recalls and referendums."

Opponents of the ordinance have 30 days to collect the more than 17,000 petition signatures needed to appeal the decision.

Parker said Houston was the only major city that doesn't have an equal rights ordinance.

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